| |
individualized stroke rehabilitative care on a daily basis.
One group,
however, also received acupuncture. For the acupuncture group,
treatment
was began within ten days of the onset of the stroke and continued
twice a
week for ten weeks. At each session, a total of ten needles
were placed at
traditional acupuncture points on the paralyzed and non paralyzed
side.
Activities of daily living, balance, motor function and quality
of life were
assessed prior to starting treatment and at one, three, six
and twelve month
follow-up intervals.
Those treated with acupuncture recovered faster and to a greater
extent
than those who did not receive acupuncture. Significant differences
between the groups were seen at one and three months in balance
and
walking. Acupuncture-treated patients also scored significantly
better in
activities of daily living at twelve months following the stroke.
Over the course of the year, acupuncture treated patients spent
approximately half the number of days in hopsitals and nursing
homes. The
acupuncture patients averaged 88 days, the non-acupuncture group
averaged 161 days. The estimate of the cost savings, based on
the lower
number of days required for institutionalized care, was $26,000
per patient.
The study may be found at Scand J Rehab Med Suppl 29:87-96.
1993.
The Sooner The Better
A second study of stroke patients in 1996 suggested that acupuncture
should begin as soon as possible after the stoke patient has
become
medically stable. Patients were evaluated by an outside physiotherapist
for motor function and self-evaluated regarding activities of
daily living and
quality of life. Within this study, acupuncture patients who
began treatment
within three months of the onset of the stroke showed significantly
greater
improvement in muscle strength than those who began treatement
three to
twelve months after the stroke. Patients whose stroke had occurred
years
earlier showed the least improvement.
The study was published in the Compl Ther Med 4:193-197.
Courtesy of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance.
|
